FIREFIGHTERS tackled a chemical spill in St Helen Auckland at the weekend.

Appliances from Bishop Auckland were called to Louisa Terrace at 10.30pm on Saturday after a leaking barrel was found in the road.

The substance, believed to be sodium hypochlorite, commonly found in bleach, was neutralised and workers from a specialist disposal company cleaned the road.

HISTORY TALK: A talk on evidence giving greater insight into the Roman occupation of Britain will be given at a meeting of the Wear-Tees University of the Third Age group, in Bishop Auckland Town Hall, tomorrow, at 10am.

COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting of Wear Valley District Council's policy and strategic development committee will be on Wednesday, at 6pm, in Crook Civic Centre.

DANCE DATE: Crook Town Cricket Club, Dawson Street, hosts a line dancing night tomorrow, at 8pm. Tickets are £2 at the door.

ASPIRING JOURNALISTS: Volunteers are needed to help compile articles, take photographs and deliver the Spennymoor Goss, a community newspaper. Apply at Spennymoor Community Learning Shop, in Festival Walk.

CATS IN NEED: To offer a home to abandoned cats or kittens call Spennymoor Cat Rescue on (01388) 818753.

NEW HOSPITAL: Out-patients with appointments at Bishop Auckland General Hospital should go to the new building, in Cockton Hill Road, from today.

CHORAL SHOW: Crook and Weardale Choral Singers will perform a Queen's golden jubilee concert at St Thomas Church, Stanhope, tomorrow, at 7.30pm.

HIGH FLYERS: Bishop Auckland Air Training Corps squadron won praise from Wing Commander Harris at their annual inspection. Cadets were presented with trophies for winning last month's wing drill competition.

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Sedgefield Borough Council's scrutiny committee one meets tomorrow, at 10am, in the council offices, Spennymoor.

YOUTH DRAMA: Youngsters aged 13 to 16 are being invited to join Hardy Drama, a group which meets at Bishop Auckland Town Hall every Monday, from 6pm to 8pm. For details call Bridie Jackson on (01388) 607060.

MOVING ON: Bishop Auckland police Chief Inspector Dave Pickard is to join Cleveland Police as a superintendent. Originally from Ryton, he started his career in Cambridgeshire before joining Durham Constabulary in 1987.

NEW PAVILION: Plans for a new pavilion and club house at Willington Cricket Club, in Vicarage Gardens, have been approved by Wear Valley District Council.

CONCERT DATE: Singer and songwriter Vin Garbutt will be performing at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Thursday, from 8pm. For tickets call (01388) 602610